Every player will remember their first two years in the league. Those years, experiences and memories will be forever etched on their psyche and career. From adversity to triumphant. Persistence, perseverance and resiliency the lessons learned over three seasons in the Q undoubtedly shape the person and player.
Photo Credit Jonathan Roy QMJHL
Every season is unique, every season is special. “Year 3” is where some players come into their own and solidify themselves as a leader and critical veteran on their respective team and within the circuit. For some the NHL Draft pressure has faded, because the dream became a reality, for others, they are still in that fight wanting to prove that they to can play at the next level. Those that hear their names called in the NHL Draft are fighting to earn an entry level deal. The fight is still ever present and ongoing. There’s always so much to prove for so many players in every year within the QMJHL.
The experiences from the first two seasons in the Q was truly invaluable for Rouyn-Noranda Huskies star defender and 2022 Tampa Bay Lighting Draft selection Dyllan Gill. June 22, 2022 is where we pick up this story. That’s the date that the “Year 2” article chronicling Gill’s progression in the Q was published. A lot has happened since that day. Some great life altering experiences and some not so much.
Photo Credit RDS/Getty Images
From the highest of highs, being drafted to the NHL, to the lowest of lows, experiencing a serious injury and not being able to play the game could derail anyone’s path. Dyllan Gill has dealt with this adversity with an unparalleled sense of maturity, confidence and unrelenting drive that rivals any pro.
“They Grow Up So Fast”
Anyone who has kids, has been told time and time again, “they grow up so fast, enjoy this time while you can, because before you know it they will be all grown up.”
It’s crazy to think how fast the hands of time actually do work. It’s hard to imagine how fast things have gone for Dyllan Gill since hearing his name being called in the 2020 QMJHL Entry Draft. Gill’s progression and trajectory in the game is simply amazing even after dealing with an incredibly painful nagging shoulder injury that of course he played through for a massive chunk of the 2022-2023 campaign.
“They grow up so fast.”
Some people are forced to grow up faster than others especially if thrust into tough situations. Dyllan Gill was mature beyond his years well before this past season, but the decision to finally get surgery was difficult nonetheless.
Pain, the New Normal
On a pain scale from one to ten, how bad was Gill’s lingering shoulder injury?
“Consistently, from three to four, it wasn’t bad when my shoulder was in place, a lot of the pain came when it was popping in and out,” confessed Gill.
“It probably popped out six to eight times throughout the year.”
“There was one specific weekend that we had a three in three on the road and it popped out all three games.” Playing with pain sadly became Gill’s new normal.
“That road trip, we realized the severity or how serious it was becoming and damage it could cause. “Originally we weren’t sure what we were dealing with,” explained Gill who logged big minutes for the Huskies in all situations.
Hockey players are notorious for playing through pain, it’s a rite of passage, but Gill new this would be different if left untreated.
“I had to take a bunch of Advil on the bench, and I couldn’t play for like ten to fifteen minutes, when my shoulder was out. It was painful and I had to wait to get the strength back in my shoulder, I would have a dead arm for a little bit and then I would have to put it back in myself.”
“Then I would have to wait, once everything was back in place, I couldn’t move my arm up.”
“It was tough to deal with, obviously, I just wanted to play. Having that to deal with was a little bit tough, but I’m happy I got it over with,” said Gill.
Gill’s offensive numbers and analytics were by far the best of his career, which is ultra impressive given the amount of pain he experienced. Gill’s ability to move the needle and for the Huskies was at an all-time high. How aggravating was it to experience everything that went on with the injury, especially after such an amazing off season with the NHL draft and training regime that saw the young defender gain ten pounds of muscle?
“I was just trying to stay positive throughout the injury,” he said.
“All that stuff happened throughout the injury, I think it showed a lot about my mental side of things that I was able to show resiliency throughout all of that and just keep playing.”
“Obviously, I could only do so much to prevent it from happening, it was happening in fluke moments in the game like soft touches on my back of my shoulder, stuff like that was happening so it was a bit frustrating.”
“Everyone knew when I would get to the bench what was happening, at the end of it, everyone knew I would be out 10 to 15 minutes.”
“By the end of the year, it was frustrating, but I got lucky at that point we knew how to adjust to it, and learn how to use it in better places and put myself in better positions to limit it from happening.”
“The Sully” brace became an integral component of Gill’s equipment and routine. The “Sully” enabled Gill to compete or stay in the fight as long as possible.
“It’s unfortunate that it happened, but I’m happy I got the surgery done, I still had a great season, I grew a lot as a player and person as I’ve been trying to do every year,” admitted Gill.
Gill has no regrets reflecting back on “Year 3” of his journey in the QMJHL. “I’m going to try to keep moving forward and use the injury as an opportunity to train and strengthen my legs and focus on that aspect of things.”
That’s the Dyllan Gill way, find the best and positive in everything he does, no matter what, which speaks volumes to his personality and character.
Leading the Way
Being the oldest of three boys Dyllan Gill has always led the way, on and off the ice.
“It’s kind of funny thing for me to look at it with Spencer getting drafted last year and now with my youngest brother Zach is coming up on his draft year this year, I’m kind of getting to feel a little bit old,” Gill said laughing.
Very few players would want or even allow someone to document their journey in the game, especially sitting down in a very busy off season. Gill’s honesty and transparency while writing this series of articles has been amazing.
“I think it’s really cool, it’s cool to see the process, as a kid I grew up watching the Moncton Wildcats, you don’t really realize how much dedication to the life playing junior hockey is.”
“Playing junior hockey is so rewarding, I’ve met some friends in junior hockey that I will be friends with for the rest of my life.” “I call a couple of those guys on my team every other day. Try to see them on weekends or try to organize trips to go see them throughout the summer so it’s pretty special,” Gill said. Gill is incredibly grateful for his path in life and the game of hockey.
“I try to take as much in as I can.”
“This is a once in a lifetime experience, that not many people get to live so I try to make the most of it and try to take everything with me,” explained Gill.
Every young up and coming player needs a mentor, someone to look up to. Dyllan Gill is a great mentor to his brothers and to all those young players watching him play and how he handles himself on and off the ice. The stages and phases of junior hockey are obviously difficult to navigate at times. Everything is new, that’s why it’s so imperative to have a role model to follow.
Can the QMJHL handle three Gill’s at once?
“It’s a realistic possibility,” Gill said beaming ear to ear.
“I’m hoping they’re ready for it just in case the possibility comes along, but you never know we will have to wait and see with Zach and obviously if I’m back in the league as a twenty.”
That’s a big “if” especially given Gill’s progression in all facets of his game.
“My goal would obviously make the step to play pro the following year, and if not then I would still have another year to focus on my development and keep pushing forward to get a pro contract. If I were to play in the league as a twenty it would be a cool experience if both my brothers were playing, and that would definitely be the craziest for my parents, but it would be pretty special for our family having three kids play in the at the same time.”
When Spencer and Dyllan faced off against each other for the first time this season it was incredibly special for the entire family, but especially for big brother.
“It was different, but really special,” Gill said of suiting up against his brother for the first time.”
“You could tell mom was nervous, dad was just laughing.”
“Our grandparents made the trip up as well, we did the ceremonial puck drop as well, which was really special. We got that picture framed and my dad has it up hanging up in his office.”
Gill is fixated on returning better than ever and is driven to make the jump to pro hockey. Patience is the key right now given his injury and timeline for return. In the meantime, Gill continues to work diligently rehabbing but is still finding a way to give back to the game that has given him so much over the years. “Growing up watching the league and the Wildcats, I often look back and think that they were my icons, I looked up to them, I had a favourite player on the team every year. I like to remind myself that I’m in that situation and position right now, it’s important to me to take time out of my day whether it’s to take five minutes to go talk to kids and give back to the game.” Five minutes for Gill, but potentially a life altering inspirational interaction for the kids.
“It could make their day, their month or their year, you never know, it gives them something to look forward to, whether it be encouragement or motivation,” stressed Gill.
“I love sharing my experiences through my hockey career and on the other side of life, away from the rink. I think it’s something that not everyone gets to experience, but the more you hear someone talk and discuss their experiences, the more comfortable you get with your own.”
“I think if people can have that familiarity and understanding what someone else has gone through that it’s going to be a lot better for them,” explained Gill.
The Times They Are A Changing
Dyllan Gill has experienced every aspect of junior hockey’s cycle. The Rouyn Noranda Huskies are known for doing it the right way. Rebuild to championship run, the Huskies are loading up for another potential run at glory in 2023-2024.
“I’ve been there since the beginning of the cycle,” Gill said.
“It’s been pretty crazy; I’ve witnessed the entire process. The sad part of junior hockey is seeing your buddies leave, I’ve had a lot of friends’ kind of go home, go elsewhere or get traded or make different life decisions for themselves, it’s a bit tough looking at that aspect of things, but it’s been a crazy life experience.”
“We had a great season last year, we are looking to build on it and make a good run at a championship this season,” stressed Gill.
In many instances the business side of junior hockey is part of the cycle as well. The Huskies organization decided to go in a different direction behind the bench for the upcoming season and foreseeable future. “Losing Brad (Yetman) was tough, I grew to have a very good relationship with him over the last three years.” “He took me under his wing when I was a sixteen-year-old in the league, he was the only coach from close to home so it was really nice having him there.”
“Seeing him get bumped up to head coach and him doing a good job with that, was great to see, it was a great experience for him, obviously it’s tough to see him go, but it’s part of the junior hockey business,” said Gill when asked about the changes occurring with the Huskies. “I think our new coach Martin Dagenais is going to do a great job, I had the chance to talk to him a few weeks ago, he seems really prepared and I think we are going to have a great team. We have made a couple big trades in the off season to give us a little boost so, but we have to make sure everyone is ready to go for a big season.” Gill isn’t sure what his timeline looks like for his return to the lineup.
“I’m not sure when I’ll be back, but I’m going to do my part to be ready whenever the time comes.”
The Tampa Bay Lightning haven’t signed Gill to Entry Level contract as of yet, but that hasn’t stopped them from being with Gill every step of the way through his rehab.
“They have been incredible throughout it all.”
“Obviously, they’re a world class organization, everyone sees that on the ice, but a lot of people don’t get to experience that off the ice or behind the scenes.”
“Their help has been more than I can ask for,” stressed Gill.
“I’ve been in communication with organization on a weekly basis, from phone calls or little check ins.” Throughout the rehab process they have been on top of things, they flew me down to Syracuse to work their doctors the week I was allowed to start training again, they have been really good,” said Gill.
Gill was set to attend the Lightning’s Dev Camp a few days after this interview.
“I’ll head down there soon, I’m going to keep training and meet with their doctors again to kind of update my profile with where I’m at with my mobility and reflexes and stuff like that,” explained Gill. “Year 3” was quite the ride for Dyllan Gill.
From the highs to the lows, Gill never wavered in his pursuit of his hockey dreams. Only time will tell how special “Year 4” in the QMJHL will be for the Rouyn Noranda Huskies and Dyllan Gill.
The journey continues.
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